Aug 27, 2008

Things people say...

Lately there's been a lot of political lawn signs popping up. One of the many around our district is for Karla Bigham. So all of a sudden, Amanda asks "why are they selling BIG HAM?" It took me a minute to realize what she was saying and then we couldn't stop laughing. Very creative, Amanda!!!

Then yesterday while finishing dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings, they started playing "Born to be Wild". When we were leaving, Abby started saying "born to be wild". That's my girl, the wild child. It was so cute and very spontaneous; she has been kind of a quiet girl until lately. You know, the older one usually talks for the younger one. So true.

On another note, tonight is Open House for my big 3rd grader, Amanda. Next Wednesday we have it for the new H.S. sophomore, Ashley.

Aug 14, 2008

WHERE did summer go?

I am partially referring to the calendar, partially to the weather. Although the days remain warm and beautiful; and greatly, a little less humid, the nights have sure been cooling off. And we don't even have a "cooler by the lake" effect... Yesterday I put the little pool out for the girls and figured I may as well water the grass in the back at the same time, so I turned on the in-ground sprinklers. Abby had a blast. It was funny watching her trying to run away from one spray only to get hit with another. So while she was happy playing, I pulled weeds and dead leaves from my garden. My lilies have diminished in my front garden, but these have been going wild in my back garden:


Today I took the little girls to the "beach'. It's a county park with a sand-bottom pool which is also surrounded by sand and gigantic beach umbrellas. So we spent a couple hours in the water and it felt great. Unfortunately the rain clouds were rolling in, so I figured we had better leave while it was still dry out. We hadn't been home for more than 10 minutes and it started pouring! Last Saturday we attended the Irish Fair. In the past it has fallen on the same weekend as the Pig Roast. It was so much fun. I felt like I was in Ireland without leaving St. Paul. David & I each had a pint and the girls enjoyed roasted corn. Before we know it, the Great Minnesota get-together will be here; a sure sign to summer ending. :(

Aug 3, 2008

reflecting

1 year and 1 week later. So hard to believe....

"But none of them- none of the 5,000 soldiers of the 1st Brigade Combat Team/34th Infantry Division of the Minnesota National Guard-came back unchanged by their 22-month deployment, and their sojourn into the cauldron of Iraq." Their time at war won a commendation in Congress as "the longest continuous deployment of any United States ground combat military unit during Operation Iraqi Freedom." (source: Associated Press)

David has been back to his "real job" for just under a year now. He loves it and they love him. He made it to the next "level", obtained a new job title, received an achievement bonus, and a raise. It was very nice to hear his boss sing his praises at our housewarming. That really means a lot.

Still in the guard, presently at the Duluth unit. Hoping for a transfer to a unit in the cities due to the distance factor. That should be effective starting in October.

The last year has really flown, but I still get emotional when I think of how long he was gone. So , hoorah to the men and women who defend our freedoms, and Godspeed!